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There's no arguing with the fact that high gas prices have fueled an increase in motorcycle and scooter sales. As Consumer Reports shows, the overall scooter market in particular is up a whopping twenty-four percent. Still, there are many issues with using two-wheelers for everyday transportation chores, with safety being of paramount concern. As CR reports, riders involved in motorcycle crashes are thirty-four times more likely to be killed than individuals in automobiles. Interestingly, head injuries make up a very large chunk of serious motorcycle injuries, which means riders wearing helmets are considerably safer than riders who choose to go out sans head protection.

For this reason, the popular consumer guide is beginning to study the market in an effort to provide its readers with valuable information regarding this recent trend and is considering creating a special set of testing procedures for two-wheelers. Data shows that the majority of motorcycle accidents could be avoided with proper training, so we look forward to seeing what, if anything, CR comes up with for testing.


[Source: Consumer Reports]

While scanning the news for important green automotive information, we ran across a note from Allstate Insurance which mentions that the average motorcycle rider reports fuel consumption of just over fifty-six miles per gallon. For comparisons sake, automobile drivers report an average of 22.4 miles per gallon. It's impossible to know for sure how many new riders have specifically chosen to ride a motorcycle or scooter for the sake of fuel savings. What's not debatable, though, is the rapid rise in motorcycle registrations in the last decade. As Allstate points out, ten years ago, there were roughly four million cycles registered in the United States. This year, there are over six million bikes registered. Granted, not every trip that's possible with a car is possible with a motorcycle, but when a bike is a viable option, we're pretty sure that the owners of said two-wheelers are enjoying the less frequent fill-ups that their rides require.

Lately, London Mayor Ken Livingstone has seen a great deal of press coverage regarding his efforts to increase the congestion charges in London, which caused Porsche to vehemently disagree with said charges. This is not Livingstone's only legislative issue these days, though, as he is also opposed to allowing motorcyclists access to London's bus lanes. He claims that there is "only a very small safety benefit for motorcyclists [versus] a larger disbenefit for other vulnerable road users. On this basis I do not propose to further allow motorcyclists to use bus lanes. Those who have advocated rushing though a change have clearly acted prematurely and irresponsibly. Such changes could have endangered the lives of cyclists and pedestrians."

What evidence does he point to? Transport for London's Road Safety Unit ran something is called the "Tanner Test," and the results are what Livingstone consulted. There's a looming issue about the test, though, as Chris Hodder, government relations executive for the British Motorcyclists Federation, has alleged that Livingstone's report was purposely doctored in order to remove evidence that casualties actually decreased by 42 percent when cyclists were allowed in bus lanes.

Craig Carey-Clinch, policy director for the Motorcycle Industry Association, put his thoughts very plainly into words when he said, "By doctoring the results to suit both his and his advisors' personal opinions, Livingstone has condemned cyclists and motorcyclists to greater vulnerability in London's traffic." That sounds like a very serious allegation to us. We'll be sure to keep you informed if more information regarding this case becomes available.

[Source: Motorcycle News]

California residents are likely quite familiar with the act of lane splitting, when a motorcycle passes through the flow of traffic in-between slowly moving cars. Lane splitting is only allowed when lanes are divided by dotted white lines, and traffic has to be moving very slowly or stopped. While many car drivers hate it when a motorcycle passes between them, the act of lane splitting is legal in California, and was originally implemented as a safety measure. Now, though, many riders choose to commute on motorcycles because they can get around much more quickly due to their ability to avoid traffic jams. Consider how much pollution is saved too, as idling cars are still emitting exhaust despite the fact that they are not going anywhere.

Take a look at the video here for more details on lane splitting, and feel free (as always) to comment on how you feel about lane splitting - for or against.

[Source: NBC San Diego]

We feel like we're ahead of the curve on this one, but Paul Crowe over at The Kneeslider has posted an editorial questioning whether or not performance cars are an endangered species. Considering that CAFE rules are becoming ever more stringent, cars like the Corvette are likely to move to smaller, more efficient motors and correspondingly lightweight chassis architecture. Heck, even the Camaro could get a hybrid option in the near future.

The question posed by Crowe is whether or not motorcycles will make up for the lack of high-performance cars. We think the answer is a resounding maybe. A few speed-addicts might make a move towards two wheels, but the market for fast cars is not going to go anywhere. Remember the muscle car? That era ended a long time ago, but the desire for the vehicles has not gone anywhere, in fact they are more desirable now than ever before. What's more, technology is already in place which will allow high performance and high economy. So, just as some people are switching to two wheels for economy, some might switch to two wheels for performance. With motorcycles, though, a few will have their cake and eat it too.

[Source: The Kneeslider]

There were many reader responses on our editorial regarding the ever-expanding volume of the automobile in America, so why not extend the same questions to motorcycles? Way back in March we featured an article which highlighted the fact that technology is trickling down to motorcycles from cars. There has been a great deal of debate going on as to whether or not motorcycles are really a green form of transportation. This post will not hit each and every facet of either side of the argument, but it is interesting to note that it is possible for manufacturers of motorcycles to hit extremely high horsepower figures while still allowing for reasonable fuel economy.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view), delivering on the promise of that fuel economy is in the hands of the rider, and when big power is available, riders are likely to twist that wrist ever tighter! So, it came as little surprise that Cycle World was able to wring 45 miles per gallon out of one tank with their Kawasaki Concours 14 testbike, while lowering that number all the way down to 24 miles per gallon from another tank-full. That is a huge disparity, and shows that high power and high fuel economy are possible from the same engine, but not at the same time. The engine in this particular bike happens to be one of the most powerful available in any production bike, maxing out at almost 140 horsepower at the rear wheel with 92 lb. ft. of torque. From a 1.4 liter engine, this is excellent! To make that kind of power, the engine has variable valve timing and electronic fuel injection. The engine also makes full use of its 10.7:1 compression ratio, which is quite high, and 4 valves per cylinder arrangement. This is an excellent engine, and would make an awesome starting point for a hybrid vehicle. But, there it sits installed in a motorcycle!

Continue reading after the jump.

One of the options for saving fuel does not involve spending lots of money on hybrid vehicles, or brewing your own biodiesel in your garage. Using a bike is clearly going to save a ton of fuel, but even a scooter will put a good dent in your gas bill. The Utah News reports motorcycle, scooter and bicycle shops are seeing a rise in sales. Consumers are turning to scooters and motorcycles that get 50 to 110 miles per gallon, or use no gas at all in the case of bicycles. According to a Salt Lake City Honda dealer, baby boomers seem to be using fuel savings as the argument to get back into riding a motorcycle. Women and younger buyers are an other growing demographic of new motorcycle buyers, with fuel savings one factor in the buying process. Bicycle sales are up too, and the Utah Transit Authority has noticed an increase in passengers riding their bicycles to bus stop, which has lead the UTA to add two bike racks to some buses.

[Source: Utah News]